Portable storage apparatus that includes an integrated arrangement for converting the apparatus to a bed or a chaise

ABSTRACT

A portable apparatus including a storage and a support arrangement that is convertible to a resting platform defined as a back pack or a suitcase.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional under 37 C.F.R. §1.53(b) ofprior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/905,608, filed May 30, 2013,which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/653,246,filed May 30, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/655,165,filed Jun. 4, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a travel accessory such as a backpackor a suitcase.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/047,556 (U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2012/0222931) and PCT/US2012/000124 (hereafter “relatedapplications” and incorporated by reference) both disclose a number ofsuitcases having arrangements that allow for the conversion of thesuitcases to a chaise or a bed. Generally speaking, these applicationsdisclose supports, each disposed at opposite sides of a suitcasesection, which can be deployed so that the suitcase may be used as a bedor a chaise. When not in use, the supports are stored within thesuitcase.

One of the proposed arrangements in the related applications employstelescopic supports which can be selectively collapsed (stored state) orlongitudinally extended (deployed state) to provide support for acompliant and rollable fabric. The rollable fabric is stored around aspring loaded roller in a compartment residing in the suitcase sectionso that it may be pulled out (thereby loading the biasing spring) andconnected to a support to realize a support arrangement at one side ofthe suitcase. The compliant fabric, when disengaged from the support, isautomatically retracted and rolled around its associated roller due tothe force stored in the biasing spring.

While the related applications disclose similar arrangements, disclosedherein are further novel features which result in new combinations aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

A portable storage apparatus according to the present invention includesa storage; and at least one support arrangement convertible to a restingplatform, the support arrangement including a support arm and acompliant body.

In one preferred form, the at least one support arm is telescopicallyextendible/collapsible. The compliant body may be a fabric that isrolled around a roller.

In one embodiment, the at least one support arm includes a handle, andthe compliant body is securely attached to the handle.

In another embodiment, the at least one support arm includes a handle,and the roller resides in the handle.

The storage may be a sack with shoulder straps defining a backpack. Arigid plate may be integrated with the sack.

The storage may be a suitcase.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention, which refersto the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate front and back elevation views, respectively,of a backpack according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate back and side elevation views, respectively,of a backpack according to the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate sections identified in FIGS. 2A and 2B, namely,sections S-01, S-02, S-03, S-04.

FIG. 3E illustrates a backpack according to a variation of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D illustrate front, right, left, and backelevation views, respectively, of a suitcase according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate back and left elevation views of a suitcaseaccording to the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a suitcase according to the present inventionwith its support arrangements deployed.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate sections S-05, S-06 and S-07 identifiedin FIGS. 6A and 6B.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D illustrate front, right, left, and backelevation views, respectively, of a suitcase according to anothervariation of the present invention.

FIG. 9A illustrates a suitcase as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8D with itssupport arrangements in a deployed state.

FIGS. 9B, 9C and 9D illustrate a suitcase as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8D andFIG. 9A with its support arrangements in a stored state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate front elevation and back elevation views,respectively, of a backpack 10 that includes support arrangements, whichcan be deployed to convert the backpack into a resting platform such asa bed or a chaise. Backpack 10 includes a sack section 12 usually madeof a fabric or the like material. On the side 14 configured for restingagainst the user's body (back side) are provided at least one, butusually two, shoulder straps 16. The manner of use of a backpack is wellknown. Therefore, how a backpack is used will not be described here.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the apparatus in a non-use state. Thus, thesupport arrangements are in a stored state. However, pull-out handles 18are visible in FIG. 1B.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate front and side elevation views, respectively,of backpack 10. For the sake of clarity, the sack section 12 and theshoulder straps 16 are only illustrated in outline form. A backpack 10according to the invention includes at least one, but preferably twosupport arrangements. Each support arrangement includes a pull outhandle 18, a compliant and rollable fabric 20, which, in its storedstate, is rolled around a spring loaded roller 22 (similar to the onedisclosed in the related applications discussed in the backgroundsection) and a pair of telescopic arms 11 each coupled to an end of pullout handle 18.

Each telescopic arm 11 includes an external extension tube 24 having afirst internal diameter, a middle extension tube 26 having a secondinternal diameter smaller than the first internal diameter, and aninternal extension tube (or rod) 28 having an outer diameter that issmaller than the first and the second internal diameters. Internalextension tube 28 is received inside of middle extension tube 26 andmiddle extension tube is received inside of external extension tube 24.Thus, internal extension tube 28 may be extracted from the interior ofmiddle extension tube 26, and middle extension tube 26 may be extractedfrom the interior of external extension tube, whereby the three bodiescan be extended/collapsed in a telescopic fashion.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, in order to integrate tubes 24-28, appropriatestoppers may be employed. Referring to FIG. 3A (identified as regionS-01 in FIG. 2A), a pair of extension stoppers 30 are provided at theend of external extension tube 24. Extension stoppers 30 are configuredto engage a section of middle extension tube 26 when middle extensiontube 26 has been extended out a predetermined distance. Thus, forexample, each extension stopper 30 may be pivotably mounted about a pin31 (see FIG. 3C) allowing the stoppers 30 to swing into features definedin internal extension tube 24. Referring to FIG. 3D, for example, middleextension tube 26 may be provided with stopper catcher 32 recesses at ashort distance from an end thereof. When middle extension tube 24 hasbeen pulled out far enough extension stoppers 30 swing into stoppercatchers 32 of middle extension tube 26 and prevent its furtherlongitudinal travel. Note that the same mechanism is preferably used tostop the internal extension tube 28 from advancing beyond apredetermined point. Specifically, extension stoppers 30 are provided atthe end of middle extension tube 26 in the same manner as describedabove, and internal extension tube 28 is provided with stopper catcher32 recesses (see FIG. 3D) which engage extension stoppers 30 at the endof middle extension tube 26 when internal extension tube 28 has beenpulled out far enough. Note that the end of internal extension tube 28is coupled to pull out handle 18. Thus, when pull out handle 18 ispulled away from sack 12, internal extension tube 28 is extractedcausing the telescopic extension of the tubes. Further note thatexternal extension tube 24 includes extension stopper 30 (see FIGS. 3Band 3D), which pivot about pivot pin (see FIG. 3B), and are receivedinside respective stopper catch 32 recesses, deployed in a commonsupport tube 33 which houses the telescopic arms. Common support tube 33may be longitudinally aligned with tubes 24, 26 and 28, and disposed onor inside sack 12 backpack 10. One purpose of common support tube 33 isto set how far out external extension tube 24 may be extended outwardly,thereby setting the limit for the length of the telescopic arm 11 in itsextended state.

Referring now back to FIGS. 2A and 2B, while only one telescopic arm 11has been described, it should be noted that two telescopic arms 11 areused to realize a support arrangement. Each telescopic arm 11 ispositioned adjacent (i.e. close to) a respective side of two oppositesides of sack 12 in order to set the width of the support arrangement.Furthermore, while one support arrangement may be employed in a backpack10 according to the present invention, two support arrangements, eachdeployable from a respective side of two opposite sides of sack 12, ispreferred. Note that the telescopic support arms of each supportarrangement may be extended to the same length, or different lengths, ormay be configured to be the same or different length when stored. Whilenot shown in the figures, it will be understood that to use the presentinvention, the user will extend the telescopic arms by pulling out thehandle 18. The rollout fabric 20, which may be coupled to pull outhandle 20, will be automatically pulled out (i.e., rolled out). Oncetelescopic arms 11 are fully extended, fabric 20 will provide a supportfor the user in generally the same manner as described in the relatedapplications set forth in the background section. Note that, optionally,a rigid plate 19 or the like (FIG. 3E) may be integrated with sackportion 12 between arms 11 at back side of sack 12 to provide furthersupport for the weight of the user. Preferably, the rigid plate iscoupled to common support tubes 33, but such coupling is not necessaryand the rigid plate may be left uncoupled.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show front, right, left and back elevation viewsof a suitcase 34 that includes the same support arrangements as those ofbackpack 10. Thus, instead of a sack 12, suitcase 34 includes a suitcasesection 36 having one surface 37 which can provide, partial support forthe user when the support arrangements are deployed, similar to thesuitcases shown in the related applications discussed in the backgroundsection.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate suitcase 34. For the sake of clarity thesuitcase section 36 is shown in outline form. Note that like numeralsare used to identify like features as those described above.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate suitcase 34 with the support arrangementsdeployed for use. Note that a compartment 38 is provided inside suitcasesection 36 to house fabric 20 and its associated roller. Such acomponent is also shown in the related applications discussed in thebackground section. Also, note a pull-out handle support 39, which ispreferably hingedly coupled to handle 18, may be optionally provided forfurther support as also illustrated in the related applicationsdescribed in the background section. Fabric 20 is permanently attachedto handle 18; whereas, in the arrangements shown in the relatedapplications described in the background section, the fabric isdetachably attached.

FIG. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate the stopper catcher arrangements describedabove in a deployed state.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D show front, left, right and back elevationviews, respectively, of a suitcase 40 according to a new variation.Suitcase 40 includes a suitcase section 36 having a surface 37 that canbe used for partial support of a user. Similar to the backpack 10 andsuitcase 34 and also similar to the suitcases shown in the relatedapplications described in the background section, suitcase 40 includessupport arrangements, which when deployed, convert the suitcase into abed or a chaise. However, suitcase 40 employs a novel configuration.

FIG. 9A illustrates suitcase 40 with the arrangements deployed. Thesupport arrangements in suitcase 40 include a rollable fabric 20, afabric roller 22, which is disposed in a compartment 38 residing at orinside handle 18, rather than at or inside suitcase section 36. Fabric20 is permanently or detachably attached to suitcase section 36 at anedge which is adjacent to surface 37 of suitcase section 36. Note thatsuitcase 40 preferably includes two support arrangements each residingat one side of two opposite sides of suitcase section 36, each sidebeing preferably adjacent surface 37. A support arrangement in suitcase40 includes a one piece arm (not a multiple piece telescopic arm 11)which resides in and is slidably supported within a support tube 42. Forexample, one arm 44 is attached at one end to a handle 18, and isprovided with a rubber stopper 46 at another, opposite end. Rubberstopper 46 is disposed on the exterior surface of arm 44 and is sized tomake contact with the interior surface of support tube 42. Arm 44 mayhave a first interior diameter that is larger than the cross-section(exterior diameter) of another arm 48. Another arm 48 is coupled at oneend to another handle 18 having another component 38 in which a roller22 and fabric 20 reside (in a stored state), and includes another rubberstopper 50 at an opposite end. Rubber stopper 50 preferably extendsaround the exterior surface of arm 48 and is sized so that it makescontact with the interior surface of support tube 42. Note that in thestored state, arm 44 is received inside of support tube 44 until itmeets rubber stopper 50, and arm 48 is moved, relative to rubber stopper50 and received inside of arm 44 in the stored state. FIGS. 9B, 9C and9D illustrate arms 44 and 48 in their stored state. Note that arm 48 mayinclude a rubber top 52 or the like which is sized to engage theinterior of arm 44 so that, in a stored state, arm 48 does not movearound and cause rattling. Arm 44 is configured to slide relative tostopper 46, while stopper 46 is preferably fixed relative to supporttube 42 and does not exit from support tube 42 when arm 44 is extracted.Similarly, arm 48 is configured to slide relative to stopper 50 whilestopper 50 is preferably fixed relative to support tube 42 so thatrubber stopper 50 does not exit support tube 42 when arm 48 is extended.Alternatively, stoppers 46 and 50 may be allowed to slide toward oneanother inside support tube 42; however, the respective ends of supporttube 42 may be configured to prevent stoppers 46,50 from falling out ofsupport tube 42. It should be noted that while only support arms 44 and48 are discussed a each support arrangement, as illustrated in thefigures, would include two support arms, each positioned adjacent arespective side of opposite sides of a suitcase section 36, and eachconnected at one end to a pull-out handle 18. Thus, one supportarrangement would include two arms 44 each connected to a respective endof a pull-out handle 18 and another support arrangement would include apair of arms 48 each connected at one end to a handle 18.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It ispreferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable storage apparatus, comprising: astorage; and at least one support arrangement convertible to a restingplatform, the support arrangement including a support arm and acompliant body.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least onesupport arm is telescopically extendible.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said compliant body is a fabric.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said compliant body is rolled around a roller.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said at least one support arm includes a handle, andsaid compliant body is securely attached to said handle.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one support arm includes ahandle, and said roller resides in said handle.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said storage comprises a suitcase.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising another support arrangement comprisinganother support arm and another compliant body.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein each said support arrangement includes a two parallelsupport arms configured to support a respective compliant body.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein each compliant body is a rollable fabricrolled around a respective roller residing with said apparatus.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein each roller is spring loaded.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein said support arms are telescopic.